New Delhi – A recent report by the V-Dem Institute has raised serious concerns about India’s declining democratic values, highlighting significant setbacks in freedom of expression, fair elections, and the right to civil society participation. The findings, published in The Hindu, emphasize that while democracy is weakening globally, India is among the nations experiencing the most severe impact of authoritarian trends.
The report paints a grim picture of the current political landscape, where minorities are facing increasing marginalization. Observers note that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have intensified their use of Hindu religious gatherings to intimidate minorities. Instances of communal tensions have been reported during festivals like Ram Navami, Holi, and the Kumbh Mela, asserts Ram Punyani in one of his recent articles.
The rising authoritarianism of the ruling establishment prompted opposition parties to form the INDIA alliance, an effort to counter the BJP’s dominance. Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra and Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, along with movements by organizations like Idilu Karnataka and the Bharat Jodo Abhiyan, significantly influenced the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, thwarting the BJP’s ambitious goal of securing 400 seats.
However, internal contradictions have weakened the opposition coalition. The alliance struggled to maintain unity in state assembly elections, leading to setbacks in states like Maharashtra and Haryana. Analysts attribute this to the RSS’s organizational strength, which continues to provide the BJP with an ideological and logistical advantage. Notably, BJP President J.P. Nadda had earlier declared that the party no longer required RSS support, suggesting its growing electoral confidence.
The increasing dominance of Hindutva nationalism has drawn comparisons to fascist movements of the past. Experts point out that RSS founders, particularly M.S. Golwalkar, were influenced by European fascism. In We, or Our Nationhood Defined, Golwalkar praised Nazi Germany’s racial policies, suggesting that India should adopt similar strategies to maintain cultural and racial purity.
Several key characteristics of Hindutva nationalism align with fascist ideologies, including:
The glorification of a mythical Hindu golden past
The aspiration for Akhand Bharat (Undivided India)
The portrayal of minorities as threats to national unity
The suppression of dissent and free speech
The consolidation of corporate and political power
Recent attacks on historical narratives further illustrate these tendencies. The BJP’s push to remove Aurangzeb’s tomb in Maharashtra has ignited communal tensions. At the same time, figures from India’s freedom movement, including Mahatma Gandhi, are being discredited in RSS-linked propaganda. Some right-wing narratives falsely claim that Gandhi hindered India’s independence rather than playing a pivotal role in it.
Left-leaning intellectuals argue that Hindutva nationalism, while not identical to classical fascism, mirrors its oppressive tendencies. Economist Prabhat Patnaik notes that neoliberal capitalism fosters an environment conducive to right-wing authoritarianism, xenophobia, and hyper-nationalism.
Recognizing the threat to India’s democratic fabric, CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat has called for a broader secular alliance. He emphasizes that the INDIA alliance must be expanded beyond electoral politics to build a long-term movement against Hindutva authoritarianism. Social organizations, which played a crucial role in the 2024 elections, are urged to continue their activism.
With the RSS entrenched in state institutions and public discourse, analysts warn that India’s constitutional values are at a crossroads. Strengthening opposition unity, fostering secular alliances, and resisting authoritarian tendencies remain critical in the battle to preserve democracy.
As India navigates this turbulent phase, political analysts stress the need for strategic collaboration among secular and democratic forces. The road ahead is challenging, but only a united opposition, supported by grassroots activism, can counter the growing influence of Hindutva politics and safeguard the nation’s pluralistic identity.
